1998 Bmw Z3 M Roadster Review
What to watch out for on a Z3M Roadster
What to watch out for on a Z3M Roadster
Benjamonk
Original Poster
84 posts
167 months
Sunday 7th February 2010
Hello Everybody,
I'm considering a BMW Z3M Roadster (the plan is to get on in time for Le Mans in June).
I wondered if other owners out there would be able to point me in the right direction for things to look for when buying. Are there any common problems / faults? Danger signs that should make me run a mile? What wears quickly.
BMW are renowned for their reliability so I was hoping for reasonably hassle free performance motoring.
I've seen a couple within my budget that have covered around 80,000 miles. Slightly high, but ok for a Z3M??
Any experience of ownership gratefully received.
Many thanks,
BB
Sunday 7th February 2010
The usual thing to look for is the vanos - and strange rumbles then walk away.
When I was looking for mine I found quite a few that I view had electrical problems, gauges not working, hood sensor (for the electric hood) not functioning corretly.
Check that there is plenty of life left in the brakes - they're not cheap to replace.
You do need to be a confident, competent driver if you are buying an s50 - no traction control and very light car with all that power makes for a receipe for disaster in the wrong hands - if you can stretch, get an s54.
Either way try to get one with the least amount of owners/miles you can - as with most soft tops these types of cars change hands each year so dont be suprised to see 10+ owners on the logbook.
It took me a tough 6 months to find my 1 owner, 37k and then my wife did this!!
[URL=http://img27.imageshack.us/i/umbay.jpg/]
Edited by falkster on Sunday 7th February 12:16
Benjamonk
Original Poster
84 posts
167 months
Sunday 7th February 2010
Whoopsie - Hope she was OK! Nice looking car apart from the lamp post shaped dent. Thanks for the tips. I used to drive a Lotus Esprit every day, 2 winters of that honed my driving skills well. Only nearly killed myself once....
Is the general consensus that mileage isn't a problem as long as servicing has taken place and all seems well?
Sunday 7th February 2010
80k should be fine - a bit of a cynic but I would make sure that the service book is backed up by a big pile of reciepts.
Benjamonk
Original Poster
84 posts
167 months
Sunday 7th February 2010
falkster said:
80k should be fine - a bit of a cynic but I would make sure that the service book is backed up by a big pile of reciepts.
Always!!
Sunday 7th February 2010
falkster said:
80k should be fine - a bit of a cynic but I would make sure that the service book is backed up by a big pile of reciepts.
Anyone with a stamp pad, and a biro can fill up a service book (which can be bought online) .... A wad of invoices, and receipts is the only proof that a car has been cared for in my opinion.
I've viewed potential purchases with "FSH" that have nothing more than the book with a few stamps, and signatures. I don't see this as a complete history without the invoices to prove that the money has been spent for the work that has alegedly been completed.
Benjamonk
Original Poster
84 posts
167 months
Sunday 7th February 2010
Absolutely, couldn't agree more. Sadly, there are a lot of very unscrupulous people out there.
'Yadi
132 posts
152 months
I got lots of info preparing for my z3m coupe hunt over at zroadster.net
if you've not already joined up there you should. Nice bunch and lots of answers there already for questions you've not even thought of yet
Benjamonk
Original Poster
84 posts
167 months
Sunday 7th February 2010
That's a great idea, I'll do that thank you.
Monday 8th February 2010
and try z3mcoupe.com
theres some good "what to check" threads on there to 
Monday 8th February 2010
I have had 3 . . . 1 x E36 (S50) engine (1997 - 2001) and 2 x E46 (S54) Engine -
IMHO the 1997 car has MANY more issues than the later models - vanos, stupidly small service intervals, rear sub-frame, no DSC etc etc
These are SERIOUSLY expensive issues if ignored and ANY amount of FSH will never cure these problems - I had the first Z3M Roadster in the UK (I bought it from Germany the week after it was launched) and did 105,000 miles in 4 years in it - it had a new gearbox, a new door, 5 new hoods, 6 new vanos units, endless brake-discs, exhaust mounts, 3 new clutches etc etc under warranty (thank the lord) but it was soooooooooooo much fun I loved it to bits - it begged to be thrashed and I did thrash it - every single day of its life - unfortnately I only lost it once and after 105,000 brilliantly mental miles that MZ3 was no more upon some hidden standing water one night!
The S50 also ate tyres for breakfast - I did the first set in under 3000KM!!!! HOWEVER the S54 was much kinder to tyres for some reason - even though I managed to perfect the art of drifting it around Cotswold corners - LOL!
For me - the car works best on either Bridgestone SO2's (which I know you cannot get anymore) or, my absolute fav tyres, Michelin Pilot Sport - NOT the V treaded ones which are DANGEROUS IMHO!
I then bought a E46 (S54) engined MZ3 and did 50,000 miles in it in 12 months - it had NO ISSUES at all - in fact I would go as far as to say it was one of the best cars I have ever owned. After I had the 3 strut braces fitted (front, rear and middle) it handled better than my Lotus Elise and the services were a more reasonable 12,000 miles rather than the 6,000 mile intervals the previous model needed.
What a difference - it wasnt as MENTAL as the S50 car - much more civilised in its delivery but no less fun - 50,000 miles in 12 months - what a ride - handling and build-quality was brilliant as was the fun factor.
After a little break I bought another S54, did 25,000 miles in it - hated it - just didnt feel right - the suspension was crap even after fitting the 3 strutt braces - it ate brake discs for breakfast just didnt feel right if you know what I mean.
My only advice is take an extended drive in any car you are looking at - drive it from cold to make certain the gearbox shifts and disengages properly - look at the service history - if its non-bmw I would walk away - talk to the dealer and see what issues that car has had - drive it - inspect it - especially underneath - if you get a goodun you will be DELIGHTED - unfortunately a baddun will make you cry and could empty your bank account quicker than and online fraudster.
If you need any help driving and evaluating one - give me a call - would be glad to help as I have looked at LOADS for both myself and my friends.
Fun - Fun - Fun!!!
khushy
PS +1 for zroadster.net
Edited by khushy on Monday 8th February 12:28
Rags
3,581 posts
208 months
Monday 8th February 2010
Some good advice but also some misleading / scaremongering going on there khushy.
I had a z3m coupe, S50 engined, 1999 model.
In terms of the engine vanos issues you speak of, you had 6 vanos' I presume because they grumbled and you didn't like it , not because it actually failed? Correct?
The Vanos issues are one of the most overhyped issues for this particular car /engine.
Go onto Z3M Coupe and the vanos issues are not as prevalent as the 'internet scaremongers' would have you believe.
A few preventative measures can prevent bolts shearing as well as use of the correct oil.
Yes, Vanos issues can occur however a grumble from the vanos is normal - I have inspected over 30 Z3M's in my time and over 80% have had a grumble. What do expect with meshed vanos gears - you will have mechanical noise!
I do agree with your other points though.
Edit. Actually, with regards to the S54, I would be more worried about bearing shell issues!
Edited by Rags on Monday 8th February 13:34
Monday 8th February 2010
Rags said:
Some good advice but also some misleading / scaremongering going on there khushy.
I had a z3m coupe, S50 engined, 1999 model.
In terms of the engine vanos issues you speak of, you had 6 vanos' I presume because they grumbled and you didn't like it , not because it actually failed? Correct?
The Vanos issues are one of the most overhyped issues for this particular car /engine.
Go onto Z3M Coupe and the vanos issues are not as prevalent as the 'internet scaremongers' would have you believe.
A few preventative measures can prevent bolts shearing as well as use of the correct oil.
Yes, Vanos issues can occur however a grumble from the vanos is normal - I have inspected over 30 Z3M's in my time and over 80% have had a grumble. What do expect with meshed vanos gears - you will have mechanical noise!
I do agree with your other points though.
Edit. Actually, with regards to the S54, I would be more worried about bearing shell issues!
Edited by Rags on Monday 8th February 13:34
I believe that "bearing shell" issues were only ever an issue on early E46 M3's and not on S54 MZ3's - they both have a different engine configuration - slightly more power and higher rpm/max on an M3?!?!?!
PLUS - all vanos's were replaced at the dealers request - not by mine.
As for my other comments - I stick by them 100% - the OP has asked for ALL advice and comments - mine are based on 105,000 miles in an S50, 50,000 miles in my S54 #1 and 20,000+ miles in S54 #2 - I doubt that many other "owners" have clocked up that sort of mileage in MZ3's!
khushy
PS - the BEST mod you can do on an MZ3 to improve the overall "experience" and offer most value for £££ are the three strutt braces - EVERYTHING else is either vanity, cosmetic or a complete waste of money IMHO!
Edited by khushy on Monday 8th February 14:04
Rags
3,581 posts
208 months
Monday 8th February 2010
Go onto z3mcoupe.com and see the number of S54 bearing shell issues.
Considering there are less S54's on the road, a higher percentage of those have had bearing issues compared to people with *actual* vanos problems.
You know why dealers readily replace items? Warranty work pays up 80% of their labour rate, so if they have less work in a week or month and need to hit targets and have an easy target ie. vanos they will take it. I will eat my hat if you had 6 faulty vanos units. Perhaps they may have been fitted badly (likely) but I bet your dealership was enjoying the kickbacks from the warranty!
Great car otherwise, almost bought my old one back recently!
Monday 1st March 2010
6 Vanos replacements, I think some times vanos problems can be linked to thrashing from cold. Possibly you didn't wait for the engine to heat up properly? usually takes 15 mins or so? or u were very unlucky
Edited by mractive on Monday 1st March 02:22
Rags
3,581 posts
208 months
Monday 1st March 2010
mractive said:
6 Vanos replacements, I think some times vanos problems can be linked to thrashing from cold. Possibly you didn't wait for the engine to heat up properly? usually takes 15 mins or so? or u were very unlucky
Edited by mractive on Monday 1st March 02:22
I would imagine that if these 6 vanos replacements occurred because this was covered under warranty.
It is well known that the S50 engine sounded extremely rumbly on occasions and owners who had paid £45k+ for a sports car didnt take kindly to this. BMW's solution as always would be to 'replace' the vanos system. Its win win for them as they receive a decent percentage of the labour rate back from BMW.
Ask yourself this question, as a private owner with no warranty, if your vanos was growly on start up would you continually replace the whole vanos each time? No, you wouldnt and people don't.
Vanos issues are heavily blown out of proportion.
Monday 1st March 2010
khushy said:
I believe that "bearing shell" issues were only ever an issue on early E46 M3's and not on S54 MZ3's - they both have a different engine configuration - slightly more power and higher rpm/max on an M3?!?!?!
That's BMW line on why the S54 recall didn't include the Z3M, but there's a fair few cases of if affecting Z3Ms documented on the forums. At least one owner has had a new engine under good will, although he did put in a fair amount of legwork trying to get the shells replaced before the engine went pop.
Other things to look out for:
- Boot floor / diff mount issue (needs a thorough inspector from both above and below).
- "Sticky" 5th gear (check when the car is cold, push the gear stick all the way to the right, does it return to under 3rd, or does it stick under 5th?). More a nuisance than anything, but it's quite a big job to sort it out.
- Common corrosion points: bottom rear of the front arches, around the wing mirrors, around the boot lock.
- Check the a/c works and hasn't just had a top-up. The condenser seems to be right in the firing line for stones, and cracks easily.
I've had an S50 M Coupe for the last five years. It's had the obligatory new Vanos in that time (this one really was broken, but in a new and different way) but beyond that it's had very few problems.
Tuesday 2nd March 2010
I have owned 2 of these cars , one a 98 with 80k and the other a 2000 with 60k both S50 models with no traction.
the later I bought for 6k in Dec 2008 , used it to go to Lemans in June then sold a few days later for 10k as I live in Dubai and wanted something fruity to drive down in.
It was as quick as the ferraris, tvrs etc I chased down there , i stayed with Pistonheads in the Aston camp site and it proved more reliable than a couple of the guys new Astons that were next to me.
The guy I went with struggled to keep up in his 500 Griffith.
Great cars, get a good one though.
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